TRIESTE DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 7

TRIESTE DISPUTE

OUTLOOK HOPEFUL LIKELY SETTLEMENT VIGILANCE NOT RELAXED (Herd 7.00 p.m.) ' LONDON. May 23 Official pirclea in London state that, exchanges on a, diplomatic level on the Trieste situation are still proceeding, says the Press Association s diplomatic correspondent. Progress is being made and a second communication received from Field-Mar-shal Sir Harold Alexander represents a constructive approach to a solution. The correspondent says he understands Hint the Yugoslavs have agreed to the establishment, of a Military Government under Field-Marsha! Alexander with Yugoslav participation and operating through the civilian authorities already established in the disputed area. Optimism in Allied circles in Trieste about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Yugoslavia is higher than at any time since the city was entered. It is reported that the negotiations which are now proceeding on "higher levels" arc* running smoothly, and an agreement within the matter of days would cause no surprise Tito's Forces Strengthened In spite of the better atmosphere, however, neither side has relaxed ite vigilance. Marshal Tito's forces have been strengthened by the arrival of 20 medium tanks of Russian manufacture.. British and American troops peacefully penetrated into the hills northleast of Trieste and east from Gorizia. From their new positions General MoICrcery's men now overlook the strategically important railway between Trieste and Gorir.ia, over which the bulk of the Allied supplies for Austria will pass. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says the Italian Ambassador to Moscow, reporting to the Prime MinisI ter, Signor Bo no mi, on the Soviet attii tude to the Trieste dispute, says that, I while the Russian Government unofficially sympathises with Marsha! Tito, the | latter could not count on any official backing from Moscow should he take an intransigent stand. Yugoslavia Will Defend Rights Dissensions between Britain, America and Yugoslavia were denied by Marshal Tito in a speech at Zagreb, according t<» the Yugoslav news agency. "This affair will certainly be solved." Marshal Tito said, "but we will firmly defend our rights." He added that the fact that the Allies had an agreement regarding zones of occupation could not be a reason for preventing Yugoslavia from protecting her enslaved brethren. It is reported from Trieste that FMeld- | Marshal Alexander visited there to I inspect the New Zealand troops. Lieu- : tenant-General Sir Bernard Freyborg | was host at a dinner last night at which j several senior Yugoslav officers wore ! guests. The dinner is said to have no I significance, as invitations were issued j a week ago.